1962 Georgia gubernatorial election

The 1962 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1962.

Carl Sanders won the Democratic primary on September 12 with 58.07% of the vote, defeating former governor Marvin Griffin. At this time, Georgia was a one-party state, and the Democratic nomination was tantamount to victory. Sanders won the November general election without an opponent.

This election was notable for a number of reasons. First, it was the last Georgia gubernatorial election to date where the Republican Party did not field a candidate. Second, the primary election was the first that took place under a winner-take-all system, as the previously used County Unit System had been struck down by the US Supreme Court in Gray v. Sanders. Finally, upon election, Carl Sanders became the youngest governor of a state at the time (aged 37) and the first governor from an urban area since the 1920s. He beat former governor Marvin Griffin in the Democratic primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Marvin Griffin, former governor of Georgia (1955–59)
• Cecil L. Langham
• Hoke O'Kelley, perennial candidate
• Carl Sanders, state senator from Augusta and President pro tempore of the Georgia Senate
• Grace Wilkey Thomas, candidate for governor in 1954 and desegregationist

Results

General election results

References

1. 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election
2. 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election
3. 2010 Georgia gubernatorial election
4. 1970 Georgia gubernatorial election
5. 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election
6. 2014 Georgia gubernatorial election
7. 1974 Georgia gubernatorial election
8. 1990 Georgia gubernatorial election
9. 1978 Georgia gubernatorial election
10. 1982 Georgia gubernatorial election
11. 2006 Georgia gubernatorial election
12. 2002 Georgia gubernatorial election
13. 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election
14. 1994 Georgia gubernatorial election
15. 1986 Georgia gubernatorial election
16. 1942 Georgia gubernatorial election
17. 1954 Georgia gubernatorial election
18. 1950 Georgia gubernatorial election
19. 1892 Georgia gubernatorial election
20. 1998 Georgia gubernatorial election